SUPPORTING GOSPEL MINISTRY Diversity in Unity IN THE NORTH WEST By Amanda McArtney Who would think that in outback Australia PERSONAL DETAILS: (please print) where it’s more Aussie than vegemite, we would Name: ............................................................................. find a mix of cultures of God’s people from every tribe and tongue and nation. What an opportunity we Address: ......................................................................... have as a diocese to minister to not only the Aussie miners but to people from all ends of the earth!! It really is the ........................................................................................ supreme mission field and all in our backyard. Phone: ............................................................................ Newman Anglican Church delights in the kaleidoscope of peoples that worship and serve their risen saviour. As Email: ............................................................................. June 2013 No. 92 in many mining towns we have a large turnover of people (since last November we have lost fifty). At our peak last c I want to be a PRAYER PARTNER Please send me the Northwest Network year we had 24 different nationalities worshipping with us. This brings a richness of Christian character that can often c I’m interested in training for MINISTRY in NWA be lacking in suburbia. One of our Kenyan men told us Please contact me that back in Kenya, everybody goes to church because Changing gear that’s just what you do – it doesn’t mean everyone leads TRAINING I’d like to discuss SERVING in NWA as a ... On 2nd May, the whole Mildenhall family multicultural but we c a Christ-like life though. He went on to tell us when he - Tim and Kathy, Anna (15), Chris (12), wanted them to m tentmaker arrived here he had to make up his mind if he would MEMBERS Jonathan (9) and Isobel (6) - flew back experience a be like everyone else and sleep in on Sundays or go to m retired Minister into Australia after Tim’s special leave. different norm so church. It meant he drew a line in the sand and said ‘Jesus NWN caught up with Tim recently. they’d have some m Parish Minister will be my Lord”. Another great example is from Gilbert a more tools to PNG fellow who told us how he couldn’t believe the apathy Q: Tim, four months! Where did you c I want to be a FINANCIAL PARTNER IS AN go and what did you do? understand that of the Australians regarding political elections. When some Please use my gift for: Well, most of our time was spent in normal situation. of his work mates were saying that they weren’t going to Tim: Anna & Kathy on a trip to Malaysia - first a short break in Kuala And I just couldn’t Parish ministry in ....................................... c vote, Gilbert addressed them and said “are you kidding? IMPORTANT Banda Aceh, Indonesia Lumpur, the capital; then some time in imagine lying on a In PNG we will literally stand for three days in the rain to Ministry in the diocese Penang on the West Coast; but we ended beach for three months – that would c have the privilege to vote and you would throw it away?” (Diocesan Ministry Fund) up spending about three months based have driven me crazy. Good stuff isn’t it! WAY TO Youth Ministry c in Kota Kinabalu, in the Malaysian State Q: Where else did you go? One of the challenges we could have had as a church, Rural Chaplaincy c of Sabah, in Borneo. We lived on the Tim: We visited Indonesia, Singapore and is the ability to form deep relationships. This is due to our All Saints Cathedral Compound. Lots of Vietnam and got close to Cambodia and unique situation of multiple shifts, different cultures and Bishop’s Discretionary Fund c HELP the time we were tourists, but Kathy and Thailand too. It was always interesting different denominational backgrounds. So we are Bishop’s Support I had a role in teaching some of those to think how well is the gospel growing intentional about strong relationship building through (capital of the See Fund) c CHURCHES in the newly established Anglican Training in these places, with very different camps, 4wd outings and lots of meals at our house. Then Institute (ATI). The ATI is the in-house pressures and openings. Vietnam was Buildings and maintenance comes the invitation to join a Bible (formerly Outback Church Foundation) c training arm of the Diocese of Sabah, by far the most difficult in my view, study/home group/mothers group. not replacing full time theological mainly because of the language barrier, Other: ........................................................ Members work in all aspects of GROW colleges, but in recognition that training but political issues make it difficult for mining from mechanical, engineering, bus My Support will be via, members is an important way to help Christians too. driving, electrical, cleaning, nursing, accounting, dump churches grow. So I taught Greek and Q: What are you doing to get ready to • Electronic Transfer to : c truck drivers, child care, drill and blast, teaching and law. Hebrew, Philosophy and Hermeneutics, get back into ministry in Broome? Diocese of North West Australia ACF Most of the mothers are stay at home mum’s which BSB 706-001 A/C No. 30003508 and Kathy taught Biblical Theology of Tim:It seems lazy to think when we go is unusual in today’s society. So we greatly encourage Below: Anna, Christopher, Mission. I also preached at the on holidays we perhaps go on holidays for the amount of $.................................. “home-making” and honour the role of mothers. We delight Jonathan & Isobel off to All Saints Cathedral half a dozen times. from God. In a real sense, all of life is in being a family friendly Church with Derek stating at the Anglican Academy Or $ ...................... every ....................... c Q: I thought it ministry for the Christian. Like the beginning of the year that the children would be one of our was meant Psalmist says, ‘Where is there to go • Cheque/postal note c main focuses. We understand that you can’t be to be a break! from you God?’ But the break was (payable to Diocese of North West ministering in a town full of children and not have a Tim: Well it was, meant to give me some time out from Australia) passionate children’s ministry. Our children feel very much actually. The the day to day responsibilities of leading part of the family which is wonderful. c Please send me details concerning a bequest kids went to a the parish and the other responsibilities to the Diocese of NWA. Something we find very encouraging is that nearly all school 50m from I’ve had. A psychiatrist friend once church members are doing daily devotions. We have seen our front door, and suggested that our minds are like clock such a growth in desire to understand the depths of God’s that achieved one springs. They are meant to wind up and word,to truly believe in His promises and move towards big objective. We unwind. And if they’re only ever wound STOP PRESS leading more godly lives. The church is vibrant. We love wanted to expose tight they lose that ‘springiness’ Please pray for an Newman ! We love the diverse people groups, we love the them to a range of and can’t work properly. I guess that experienced youth minister to extreme weather and we love being able to impart the join the Cathedral team. different people – contributes to burnout which I surely If interested contact saving grace of Jesus to the lost souls here. We thank Broome is want to avoid if possible. ...continues on page 2. Bishop Gary Nelson: God for bringing us to Newman. 4 Em: [email protected] Ph: (08) 9921 7277. THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF NORTH WEST AUSTRALIA Website:www.anglicandnwa.org PO Box 2783, Geraldton WA 6531. Ph (08) 9921 7277 email [email protected] Changing gear ... church is about). But this is not really a change of direction, just getting back to And thanks to a lot of people, we were the coal face of leadership. Can I just From the Bishop able to get a break to get some more say, to anyone reading this, plan to take ‘spring’ back. So, in one sense, I’m just breaks – don’t get to the point where you BISHOP’S REFLECTIONS we are his people, the sheep of changing gear again. In Broome we’re fall over and have to take a break. Over recent weeks I have been his pasture. launching a new mission and vision for thinking about being thankful. A friend We know the covenant God, the the church (so we’re all clearer on what Right: water village youngsters at Sandakan Peter sees thankfulness as one of the Creator, our shepherd who cares for attitudes that can transform our lives. his people. How could we not give I’ve appreciated his reminder about We love Northampton and and hospitality, while assisting thanks! thankfulness as an essential mark of Settling in David & Trudy Robinson in Northampton the friendly country life style. with ministry at Holy Trinity – The psalm continues on with its being Christian. At times it’s easy to With two suitcases, a tent and Hill, Port Augusta, Port The parishioners have been David preaching, leading at encouragement to praise and thank take people for granted, or just expect camping gear, we set off for Lincoln, Ceduna, Norseman, very kind to us and we are services and Bible studies; God in v.4f. And it ends with another our situation to remain stable and Northampton from Sydney Esperance, Albany, the getting to know them all, as Trudy running Sunday School, amazing reason why we should thank fulfilling.